This rowhouse was the second of two commissions on a single zoning parcel in the Cobble Hill Historic District — New York City’s most well-preserved nineteenth-century neighborhood. Our challenge was to design a building that harmonizes with the surrounding historic fabric, while also appealing to the clients’ modern sensibilities.
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Facade Corner](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4d684c17ae62e733c97395aee592860f6c6cad37-2107x2700.jpg?w=446&auto=format 446w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4d684c17ae62e733c97395aee592860f6c6cad37-2107x2700.jpg?w=741&auto=format 741w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4d684c17ae62e733c97395aee592860f6c6cad37-2107x2700.jpg?w=949&auto=format 949w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4d684c17ae62e733c97395aee592860f6c6cad37-2107x2700.jpg?w=591&auto=format 591w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4d684c17ae62e733c97395aee592860f6c6cad37-2107x2700.jpg?w=792&auto=format 792w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4d684c17ae62e733c97395aee592860f6c6cad37-2107x2700.jpg?w=792&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4d684c17ae62e733c97395aee592860f6c6cad37-2107x2700.jpg?w=1584&auto=format 1584w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Foyer](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/64d7a95dac7225f65f5872efb67bd9256a8ab590-2160x1548.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/64d7a95dac7225f65f5872efb67bd9256a8ab590-2160x1548.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/64d7a95dac7225f65f5872efb67bd9256a8ab590-2160x1548.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/64d7a95dac7225f65f5872efb67bd9256a8ab590-2160x1548.jpg?w=897&auto=format 897w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/64d7a95dac7225f65f5872efb67bd9256a8ab590-2160x1548.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 1198w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/64d7a95dac7225f65f5872efb67bd9256a8ab590-2160x1548.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/64d7a95dac7225f65f5872efb67bd9256a8ab590-2160x1548.jpg?w=2396&auto=format 2396w)
The building’s interior architecture is modern in its design. Our intent was to allow the major communal areas of the home to overlap both vertically and horizontally. Double-height space is unique in townhouses, but it is employed here to connect rooms on the garden and parlor floors, and to increase the visual connection of both floors to the rear garden.
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Stair Screens](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4c8f40a0247c16f8522e16cc0884074aea430e1b-1800x2700.jpg?w=446&auto=format 446w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4c8f40a0247c16f8522e16cc0884074aea430e1b-1800x2700.jpg?w=741&auto=format 741w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4c8f40a0247c16f8522e16cc0884074aea430e1b-1800x2700.jpg?w=949&auto=format 949w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4c8f40a0247c16f8522e16cc0884074aea430e1b-1800x2700.jpg?w=591&auto=format 591w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4c8f40a0247c16f8522e16cc0884074aea430e1b-1800x2700.jpg?w=792&auto=format 792w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4c8f40a0247c16f8522e16cc0884074aea430e1b-1800x2700.jpg?w=792&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/4c8f40a0247c16f8522e16cc0884074aea430e1b-1800x2700.jpg?w=1584&auto=format 1584w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Stair Screen](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/1581b88a71dd43e800f199ec178dcec834a7093e-1800x2700.jpg?w=514&auto=format 514w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/1581b88a71dd43e800f199ec178dcec834a7093e-1800x2700.jpg?w=714&auto=format 714w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/1581b88a71dd43e800f199ec178dcec834a7093e-1800x2700.jpg?w=940&auto=format 940w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/1581b88a71dd43e800f199ec178dcec834a7093e-1800x2700.jpg?w=693&auto=format 693w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/1581b88a71dd43e800f199ec178dcec834a7093e-1800x2700.jpg?w=927&auto=format 927w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/1581b88a71dd43e800f199ec178dcec834a7093e-1800x2700.jpg?w=927&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/1581b88a71dd43e800f199ec178dcec834a7093e-1800x2700.jpg?w=1854&auto=format 1854w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Stair](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/37bd2fd9d2349666799f8b22d7b21970a706966a-2034x2700.jpg?w=338&auto=format 338w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/37bd2fd9d2349666799f8b22d7b21970a706966a-2034x2700.jpg?w=544&auto=format 544w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/37bd2fd9d2349666799f8b22d7b21970a706966a-2034x2700.jpg?w=721&auto=format 721w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/37bd2fd9d2349666799f8b22d7b21970a706966a-2034x2700.jpg?w=387&auto=format 387w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/37bd2fd9d2349666799f8b22d7b21970a706966a-2034x2700.jpg?w=521&auto=format 521w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/37bd2fd9d2349666799f8b22d7b21970a706966a-2034x2700.jpg?w=521&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/37bd2fd9d2349666799f8b22d7b21970a706966a-2034x2700.jpg?w=1042&auto=format 1042w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Stairs from Above](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f271527016c85f3dc91c187f96a706473013b59a-2160x1440.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f271527016c85f3dc91c187f96a706473013b59a-2160x1440.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f271527016c85f3dc91c187f96a706473013b59a-2160x1440.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f271527016c85f3dc91c187f96a706473013b59a-2160x1440.jpg?w=897&auto=format 897w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f271527016c85f3dc91c187f96a706473013b59a-2160x1440.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 1198w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f271527016c85f3dc91c187f96a706473013b59a-2160x1440.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f271527016c85f3dc91c187f96a706473013b59a-2160x1440.jpg?w=2396&auto=format 2396w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Family Room](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7cc60145a25bd23ce8a2f89dba434ed5415a4338-2160x1440.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7cc60145a25bd23ce8a2f89dba434ed5415a4338-2160x1440.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7cc60145a25bd23ce8a2f89dba434ed5415a4338-2160x1440.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7cc60145a25bd23ce8a2f89dba434ed5415a4338-2160x1440.jpg?w=897&auto=format 897w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7cc60145a25bd23ce8a2f89dba434ed5415a4338-2160x1440.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 1198w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7cc60145a25bd23ce8a2f89dba434ed5415a4338-2160x1440.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7cc60145a25bd23ce8a2f89dba434ed5415a4338-2160x1440.jpg?w=2396&auto=format 2396w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Kitchen](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ea27907ac4815b2187b668fd18d4cbb28ccb00d-2160x1440.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ea27907ac4815b2187b668fd18d4cbb28ccb00d-2160x1440.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ea27907ac4815b2187b668fd18d4cbb28ccb00d-2160x1440.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ea27907ac4815b2187b668fd18d4cbb28ccb00d-2160x1440.jpg?w=897&auto=format 897w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ea27907ac4815b2187b668fd18d4cbb28ccb00d-2160x1440.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 1198w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ea27907ac4815b2187b668fd18d4cbb28ccb00d-2160x1440.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ea27907ac4815b2187b668fd18d4cbb28ccb00d-2160x1440.jpg?w=2396&auto=format 2396w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Kitchen Island](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ca30b75320e51125befbf06880838d11887fbb2-2160x1440.jpg?w=514&auto=format 514w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ca30b75320e51125befbf06880838d11887fbb2-2160x1440.jpg?w=714&auto=format 714w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ca30b75320e51125befbf06880838d11887fbb2-2160x1440.jpg?w=940&auto=format 940w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ca30b75320e51125befbf06880838d11887fbb2-2160x1440.jpg?w=693&auto=format 693w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ca30b75320e51125befbf06880838d11887fbb2-2160x1440.jpg?w=927&auto=format 927w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ca30b75320e51125befbf06880838d11887fbb2-2160x1440.jpg?w=927&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2ca30b75320e51125befbf06880838d11887fbb2-2160x1440.jpg?w=1854&auto=format 1854w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Family Room Stair](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f4d0925cf12d376d20068fd5a270f9666ffba87e-1953x2700.jpg?w=338&auto=format 338w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f4d0925cf12d376d20068fd5a270f9666ffba87e-1953x2700.jpg?w=544&auto=format 544w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f4d0925cf12d376d20068fd5a270f9666ffba87e-1953x2700.jpg?w=721&auto=format 721w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f4d0925cf12d376d20068fd5a270f9666ffba87e-1953x2700.jpg?w=387&auto=format 387w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f4d0925cf12d376d20068fd5a270f9666ffba87e-1953x2700.jpg?w=521&auto=format 521w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f4d0925cf12d376d20068fd5a270f9666ffba87e-1953x2700.jpg?w=521&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/f4d0925cf12d376d20068fd5a270f9666ffba87e-1953x2700.jpg?w=1042&auto=format 1042w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Office](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/ed2823d9ea210b48980fbedc3ab54ba41ea7b40e-2160x2604.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/ed2823d9ea210b48980fbedc3ab54ba41ea7b40e-2160x2604.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/ed2823d9ea210b48980fbedc3ab54ba41ea7b40e-2160x2604.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/ed2823d9ea210b48980fbedc3ab54ba41ea7b40e-2160x2604.jpg?w=897&auto=format 897w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/ed2823d9ea210b48980fbedc3ab54ba41ea7b40e-2160x2604.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 1198w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/ed2823d9ea210b48980fbedc3ab54ba41ea7b40e-2160x2604.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/ed2823d9ea210b48980fbedc3ab54ba41ea7b40e-2160x2604.jpg?w=2396&auto=format 2396w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Living Room](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/591e885de0db09a42b865431197f7eb29f2825a3-2160x1720.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/591e885de0db09a42b865431197f7eb29f2825a3-2160x1720.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/591e885de0db09a42b865431197f7eb29f2825a3-2160x1720.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/591e885de0db09a42b865431197f7eb29f2825a3-2160x1720.jpg?w=897&auto=format 897w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/591e885de0db09a42b865431197f7eb29f2825a3-2160x1720.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 1198w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/591e885de0db09a42b865431197f7eb29f2825a3-2160x1720.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/591e885de0db09a42b865431197f7eb29f2825a3-2160x1720.jpg?w=2396&auto=format 2396w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Rear Facade Ironwork](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7b3544dfd142fc23d298a7c127ffea3e8c8662f6-2042x2700.jpg?w=514&auto=format 514w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7b3544dfd142fc23d298a7c127ffea3e8c8662f6-2042x2700.jpg?w=714&auto=format 714w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7b3544dfd142fc23d298a7c127ffea3e8c8662f6-2042x2700.jpg?w=940&auto=format 940w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7b3544dfd142fc23d298a7c127ffea3e8c8662f6-2042x2700.jpg?w=693&auto=format 693w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7b3544dfd142fc23d298a7c127ffea3e8c8662f6-2042x2700.jpg?w=927&auto=format 927w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7b3544dfd142fc23d298a7c127ffea3e8c8662f6-2042x2700.jpg?w=927&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/7b3544dfd142fc23d298a7c127ffea3e8c8662f6-2042x2700.jpg?w=1854&auto=format 1854w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Oriel](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/aecff85dc3de05d813dc6a4065a4af4dc4a9e55a-2077x2700.jpg?w=338&auto=format 338w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/aecff85dc3de05d813dc6a4065a4af4dc4a9e55a-2077x2700.jpg?w=544&auto=format 544w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/aecff85dc3de05d813dc6a4065a4af4dc4a9e55a-2077x2700.jpg?w=721&auto=format 721w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/aecff85dc3de05d813dc6a4065a4af4dc4a9e55a-2077x2700.jpg?w=387&auto=format 387w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/aecff85dc3de05d813dc6a4065a4af4dc4a9e55a-2077x2700.jpg?w=521&auto=format 521w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/aecff85dc3de05d813dc6a4065a4af4dc4a9e55a-2077x2700.jpg?w=521&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/aecff85dc3de05d813dc6a4065a4af4dc4a9e55a-2077x2700.jpg?w=1042&auto=format 1042w)
We manipulated the massing and detailing of the front, side, and rear façades, combining traditional details with modern techniques. This is especially apparent in the building’s windows: the lintels and sills are made of brownstone, while the oriel window and rear bay are made of steel and glass. The juxtaposition of classical and contemporary creates an elegant structure rooted in a deep knowledge of the local vernacular.
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Carriage House](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2684468fac5f79eaf2c9f01df2231b30bb8ec5b7-1967x2700.jpg?w=514&auto=format 514w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2684468fac5f79eaf2c9f01df2231b30bb8ec5b7-1967x2700.jpg?w=714&auto=format 714w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2684468fac5f79eaf2c9f01df2231b30bb8ec5b7-1967x2700.jpg?w=940&auto=format 940w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2684468fac5f79eaf2c9f01df2231b30bb8ec5b7-1967x2700.jpg?w=693&auto=format 693w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2684468fac5f79eaf2c9f01df2231b30bb8ec5b7-1967x2700.jpg?w=927&auto=format 927w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2684468fac5f79eaf2c9f01df2231b30bb8ec5b7-1967x2700.jpg?w=927&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/2684468fac5f79eaf2c9f01df2231b30bb8ec5b7-1967x2700.jpg?w=1854&auto=format 1854w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Terrace](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/03f5860cbb0d9c5ec3b97c2c2e6eb821e939e03e-2160x1577.jpg?w=338&auto=format 338w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/03f5860cbb0d9c5ec3b97c2c2e6eb821e939e03e-2160x1577.jpg?w=544&auto=format 544w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/03f5860cbb0d9c5ec3b97c2c2e6eb821e939e03e-2160x1577.jpg?w=721&auto=format 721w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/03f5860cbb0d9c5ec3b97c2c2e6eb821e939e03e-2160x1577.jpg?w=387&auto=format 387w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/03f5860cbb0d9c5ec3b97c2c2e6eb821e939e03e-2160x1577.jpg?w=521&auto=format 521w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/03f5860cbb0d9c5ec3b97c2c2e6eb821e939e03e-2160x1577.jpg?w=521&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/03f5860cbb0d9c5ec3b97c2c2e6eb821e939e03e-2160x1577.jpg?w=1042&auto=format 1042w)
![Cobble Hill Rowhouse Rear Facade](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/57ea02e68ee567388cc4a9977b00ad154627eae2-1800x2700.jpg?w=480&auto=format 480w,https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/57ea02e68ee567388cc4a9977b00ad154627eae2-1800x2700.jpg?w=768&auto=format 768w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/57ea02e68ee567388cc4a9977b00ad154627eae2-1800x2700.jpg?w=1024&auto=format 1024w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/57ea02e68ee567388cc4a9977b00ad154627eae2-1800x2700.jpg?w=897&auto=format 897w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/57ea02e68ee567388cc4a9977b00ad154627eae2-1800x2700.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 1198w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/57ea02e68ee567388cc4a9977b00ad154627eae2-1800x2700.jpg?w=1198&auto=format 2880w, https://cdn.sanity.io/images/wups1rn4/production/57ea02e68ee567388cc4a9977b00ad154627eae2-1800x2700.jpg?w=2396&auto=format 2396w)
Building Information
Location
Cobble Hill Historic District
Size
5600 sf
Project Completed
2018
Credits
Partner in Charge
Brendan Coburn (Design Lead), Jason Boutin (Design Partner)
Project Team
Abdou Ndoye, Paula Sherr, Stephen Sullivan
Interior Design
Ejeanne Interior Design
Contractor
Interior Alterations, Inc.
Landscape Architect
Joanna Pertz Landscape Architecture, PC
Structural Engineering
Dominick R. Pilla Associates, PC
MEP Engineering
Charles G. Michel Engineering, PC
Expeditor
J. Callahan Consulting, Inc.
Photographer
Francis Dzikowski / OTTO
Stylist
Brice Gaillard
Cobble Hill Rowhouse